Tax Day, the day when most Americans are required to file their federal income tax return, has become almost an anti-holiday. And the date draws near: U.S. income taxes are due April 18, 2022.
Want to know more about filing your taxes in 2022? Read our free, comprehensive guide.
Details on Tax Day 2022
Extenuating circumstances can cause Tax Day to be changed. For the past two years, Tax Day was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. And if Tax Day falls on a weekend, it’s usually moved to the following Monday.
Even when deadlines change, it’s worth considering filing as soon as possible, especially if you are owed a refund. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get your refund.
You can begin filing your 2021 tax returns January 24, 2022; this is 21 days earlier than last year. If you file electronically, choose direct deposit, and have no issues with your return, the IRS has said you should expect your refund within 21 days.
Will Tax Day be Extended Again?
The IRS has not extended the deadline past April. Currently, the tax filing deadline for 2022 remains April 18.
Can I File for an Extension?
Keep in mind that the IRS allows taxpayers to file for an extension beyond the normal tax-filing deadline. You can receive a six-month extension for practically any reason simply by filing IRS Form 4869, giving you until October 17 to file your return.
However, receiving an extension only extends the due date for filing your tax return. It doesn’t extend the due date for paying any taxes that may be due — you still must pay these by April 18. If you don’t, you could face late-payment penalties on top of the amount of tax that is due.
When Are Estimated Taxes Due?
Most people who work for an employer have federal taxes withheld from their gross wages each pay period. For them, Tax Day mainly involves filing an income tax return and paying additional taxes due (if there are any) or claiming a tax refund.
But some people don’t have taxes withheld from wages by an employer. This includes independent contractors, self-employed individuals and those who earn money from tips or receive investment earnings. These individuals usually must make estimated tax payments according to a quarterly or monthly estimated tax schedule.
For the 2022 tax year, quarterly estimated tax payments are due on the following dates:
First quarter: April 18, 2022
Second quarter: June 15, 2022
Third quarter: September 15, 2022
Fourth quarter: January 17, 2023
If estimated taxes aren’t paid by the deadline, late-payment penalties could be assessed on the amount of taxes that’s due. Individuals who don’t pay their quarterly estimated tax by January 15, 2022, but file their 2021 tax return early, however, will not be assessed a penalty. This date is extended to January 31, 2021, for self-employed individuals.
Read More: Tax Prep as an Entrepreneur
Can I Still File my Taxes for 2021?
Yes! The federal tax return filing deadline for tax year 2021 is in April. If you miss the deadline and did not file for an extension, it’s very important to file your taxes as soon as possible.
Start Preparing for Tax Day Now
It’s not too early to start preparing for Tax Day 2022. Be sure to speak with your tax advisor and personal financial planner for guidance in your specific situation.
And remember, paying your taxes is only one aspect of personal finance. To stay on top of your finances, you can manage your money with free, online financial tools. Millions of people use Personal Capital’s free dashboard to see all of their financial accounts in one place. Using the technology, you can:
Budget your money with the Savings Planner
Stay on track toward your long-term goals with the Retirement Planner
Analyze your investments with the Investment Checkup
Uncover hidden fees in investments with the Fee Analyzer
When Tax Day comes, you’ll know exactly where you stand financially.
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Personal Capital compensates Brian E. Leyde (“Author”) for providing the content contained in this blog post. The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. Individuals should contact their own professional tax advisors or other professionals to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking action based on this information. Tax laws and authorities are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively, and any subsequent change could have a material impact on your situation.
